It appears to be a simple case of one man’s word against another. In this case, however, it’s the word of the Louisiana State Police (LSP) top dog versus a subordinate who happens to be interim president of the Louisiana State Troopers Association (LSTA).
LouisianaVoice has received conflicting reports from State Police Superintendent and the president of the Louisiana State Troopers Association about whose idea it to request that LSTA write a letter to Governor-elect John Bel Edwards endorsing Edmonson for reappointment to lead state police for another four years.
The board last Monday (Nov. 30) voted unanimously not to write the letter.
The board also voted on a new policy whereby in the future, the LSTA membership will be polled before the association again takes action to endorse any candidate for political office.
Twice within 24 hours—once in a meeting on Thursday and again Friday through Public Information Officer Doug Cain—denied that he had any part in the board’s consideration of such a letter.
LSTA Interim President Stephen LaFargue, however, confirmed—also for the second time—that Edmonson asked him about the prospects of LSTA sending a letter to Edwards asking that Edmonson be reappointed.
LouisianaVoice received a copy a summary of Monday’s (Nov. 30) LSTA board meeting held in Baton Rouge at the LSTA office. The minutes were written by a member of an affiliate troop who attended the meeting and who has asked not to be identified by name or troop.
The summary of the meeting said, “Interim President S. Lafargue stated he was contacted by the Colonel to write a letter on behalf of the LSTA to Governor elect J.B. Edwards on his behalf. That said, Interim President S. Lafargue made a motion to deny the request. Troop C seconded the motion and the motion passed 11-0 by the board.”
Membership of the board is comprised of one representative from each of the state’s nine LSP troops as well as one representative from LSP Headquarters and state police retirees.
The Troop I (Lafayette) representative made a motion, seconded by Troop A (Baton Rouge) to pass a by-law that in the future, LSTA “will not endorse any candidate in any political race.
The meeting summary said that LaFargue “took responsibility” for the LSTA endorsement of Edwards in the Nov. 21 runoff election against U.S. Sen. David Vitter. Edwards won over Vitter by a 60-40 percentage point margin.
That effort failed by a 6-5 vote, but Troop C (Gray) made a second motion, seconded by Headquarters, which was passed. That motion said in the future, when LSTA wants to endorse any candidate, a ballot will be mailed to each member who will vote on the proposal. The vote was 7-4 in favor of that motion.
Upon receipt of the meeting summary, we contacted Cain who confirmed that Edmonson on Thursday had said he played no part in initiating an effort to generate a letter in support of his reappointment. When told what the summary reflected, Cain said he would double check with his boss. A few minutes later he called back to say that Edmonson continued to deny his role in any effort to produce such letter.
Cain suggested that we check with LaFargue to obtain his version of events.
We did.
When contacted, LaFargue was asked about minutes of the meeting and he immediately asked, “What minutes? The minutes haven’t been written yet and I’m the one who has to approve them.”
We told him we were referring to unofficial meetings compiled by an affiliate member and we read the passage in which he was credited with saying he was contacted by Edmonson who requested the letter.
“What happened,” he said, “was that Col. Edmonson attended the board meeting and he told me he was going to apply for reappointment. He then asked about the possibility of the LSTA board writing a letter of endorsement. I told him I didn’t know, that it would have to be taken up by the board.”
Edmonson had earlier insisted to LouisianaVoice that he took no part in the request to write the letter. “It’s no secret that I would like another four years at my job,” he said, “but I would never ask someone to write a letter like that or to do anything on my behalf. This has to be the governor’s decision and I would never attempt to influence him in such a way.”
Following is an excerpt from the summary that was provided by the LSTA affiliate. The paragraph pertaining to the proposed letter of endorsement is in boldface:
On, Monday, November 30, your LSTA held a board meeting in Baton Rouge at the LSTA Office. The following is a summary of the meeting:
Interim President S. Lafargue took responsibility for the endorsement of the governor elect.
Interim President S. Lafargue stated he was contacted by the Colonel to write a letter on behalf of the LSTA to Governor elect J.B. Edwards on his behalf. That said, Interim President S. Lafargue made a motion to deny the request. Troop C seconded the motion and the motion passed 11-0 by the board.
- Troop I President D. Latham made a motion that in the future, the LSTA will not endorse any candidate in any political race and this will become a by-law of the LSTA. Troop A seconded the motion and the motion failed 6-5.
The vote breakdown is as follows:
For: Troops A, B, F, I, and Retired
Against; Troops C, D, E, G, L, and HQ
- Troop C made a motion if in the future the LSTA wants to endorse a candidate, a ballot will be mailed to each member who will decide whether or not that candidate receives the endorsement from the LSTA. HQ seconded the motion and the motion passed 7-4.
The vote breakdown is as follows:
For: Troops C, D, E, G, L, HQ, and Retired
Against; Troops A, B, F, and I.
Louisiana Voice 
A certain individual who felt the need to taint a police investigation spoke of two badges being tarnished that day. It seems to me Colonel Edmonson is tarnishing every badge worn by ever trooper within his department. Covering up drug abuse by one captain and possible kidnapping by another. You have intimidation, retaliation, drugs, lies, political corruption, illegal promotions, threats of violence, ect. These are all things the mob does. I hope this Cain and Lafarge are going to be ok for stepping up and stating the truth. I am pretty sure it has been stated lying is against some of the core values of the State Police. Maybe someone needs to send them to Edmonson. It seems he has forgotten them within the last 8 years. I do have to wonder why the association lied to the members and if Mr. Lafarge would not have valiantly stated the truth in open minutes, would any of the brave State Troopers who do uphold the core values have been made aware of the boards dishonesty and the colonels tepid and desperate attempt to hold onto his free house, car, and trips, at the behest of the association the members pay into to look out for them.
Replace. Edmonson. He tried to push himself a raise only until the media highlighted how he was trying to take advantage of his position & the system. He is a leftover from the Jindal regime. He’s served his time ….some that I know about mike, I cannot reveal.
I keep hearing Mike is very upset with me. I suggest he has more problems than me. Lies always seem to catch up to you. Wonder if any campaign contributions were made that tie back to the Association? If so, I sure hope they weren’t made by a third party using Association funds. That would seem to be a questionable legal maneuver to avoid reporting laws and IRS guidelines much less State Police Commission Rules. If anything like that happened, I would be looking for my attorney to ensure I didn’t get thrown under the bus. We already know Edmonson wasn’t truthful regarding the now nefarious Edmonson Retirement Amendment that was eventually declared unconstitutional. When the story first broke, in the same day he denied any prior knowledge of the effort until the news broke, weeks after it became law. He backtracked and said some “staff” had presented it to him prior and he approved their efforts. It was later his Chief of Staff, Charles Dupuy was named by the Legislator who brought it forward. Edmonson has a history of lying for his own benefit. Why would we think he would tell the truth now?
Thank you Tom for following this corrupt debacle and keeping the public informed. Whoever is named the superintendent of state police will be a litmus test of the integrity of John Bel Edwards’ administration. Apparently Edmonson and all of his inter-circle need to go.
Everyone and everything associated with the Jindal adminstration must go!! The people of Louisiana have spoken!!!!
Why would anyone believe anything Mike Edmonson says? He has demonstrated a fast and loose acquaintance with the truth.
I am sorry if I am lost a little; do all the things going on in all the stories tie in to the crimes and illegal activities going on at Trooper D? There were a bunch of stories early I read and it seemed there was a bunch of illegal things going on at this place by captain Guillory and his other friends. Was just curious, Tom. Great job though, if I am not mistaken this is the department that is called in to investigate others. If not for you who would have been investigating them? Thanks. 😉
No, not all the stories are related to Troop D. I have already posted stories about other troops and I have others in the hopper. Troop D problems, however, seem to run deeper and it was those stories that helped reveal the others.
The Troop D debacle is still ongoing. They are still uncovering evidence of Guillory and others. It is much worse than we thought.
That’s good to know, the rumor was the colonel was covering it up and and going after all of Troop D’s and the Captain’s enemies.
Thank you for your excellent work, Tom. If Edwards reappoints Edmonson, he will surely be embarrassed by him down the road. Let’s hope if for no other reason than self-interest, Edwards is too smart.
As a retired trooper I say that there should be a house cleaning in the State Police starting and the top and going down where it is necessary, and by all means keep the State Police away from political influence.
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